The Wedding Budget: Tips on Planning your Budget
Planning your wedding is one of the most exciting and fun things you will do, however, it can also be one of the most stressful things you will go through as well.
Money is certainly a touchy subject and can cause distress in planning your wedding. So, before you start any of the planning, make it clear to everyone involved what the budget is and how to allocate the funds. Here are some tips on setting a budget and sticking with it.
Who is paying?
Today, more brides and grooms are paying for their own wedding, with little or no help from their parents. However, some lucky couples have parents and other family members that offer to contribute. Discuss with all those who are helping out financially and be clear about what amount they can contribute, or what part of the wedding they will take care of. Grandma may want to buy you your dress, while mom and dad agree to pay for the venue.
Stick to the Budget!
Be diligent about following your budget. A little extra here and there can make you really fall off track and make you give up on sticking to your budget. This in turn, can cause you to spend way more than you can afford.
Prioritize!
Think and talk about what is most important to you. If the venue and music is top priority, express this to everyone who is financially involved. This way, you are on the same page. Allocate more of the budget to these important items, but make sure you don’t go back and spend more than you planned on the other items lower on the priority list.
Don’t forget the honeymoon!
Your honeymoon may cost you a significant amount, so don’t forget to allocate some of the funds to planning your honeymoon, which may include travel costs, accommodations, food and some spending money.
Be firm about your budget
When you stick to your budget and remember what you can and want to afford, it will make it easier to choose your vendors. You will also save time by seeing only vendors and venues that fit within your budget.
Keep a record of all expenses
As you pay deposits and buy supplies for your wedding, keep receipts and also track everything down on a spreadsheet. This way, you can make sure you are right on budget and if you are splitting costs with someone, this will keep everything clear.
Planning a wedding is not all about the money, but money is indeed a big factor that can affect your wedding planning experience. So, just keep these simple tips in mind and enjoy planning your special day!
Written by Rita Wong, Rita Wong Events http://www.ritawongevents.com/
Rita Wong is a wedding and events planner and owner of Rita Wong
Events. Based in Montreal, Rita also plans many weddings every year for
brides living in Toronto and abroad. She is a dedicated follower of new
trends and her goal is to give each bride a wedding that is fresh,
unique, and a personal reflection of who they are. She now shares her
professional insights with slice.ca.
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